The twist for this exclusive showing is that these are works from disadvantaged high school students from HISD who have learned their craft from Through the Lens Houston, a nonprofit after-school program that offers kids much more than just the camera and Photoshop skills they sign up for.

Terry Merwin, the founder of the program, spent years as a teacher. Then, two years ago, she followed her own passion for art by founding a Houston organization that aims to empower young minds using a camera as their tool. Along the way, the students picked up course credit and created a portfolio they can show to colleges. An exhibition at a highly prestigious art museum? Well, Paige Phelps found that’s just he cherry on the cake.